Improvement in valve-actions for brass musical instruments



T. ART AUD. Valve-Action for Brass Musical Instruments.

No. 201,380. Patented March 19,1878.

A A A WITNESSES INV'ENTOR: 644W'@M@ U QZZWM/ @x Ma BY 2222;222-

ATTORNEYS.

N-FETERS. PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHANGTON. D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE ARTAUD, OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

IMPROVEMENT IN VALVE-ACTIONS FOR BRASS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 201,380, dated March 19, 1878; application filed December 29, 1877.

To all'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE ARTAUD, of Jackson, in the county of Hinds and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and Improved Valve for Brass Instruments, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a portion of a brass instrument with my improved rotary valves, and Fig. 2 a side view of one of the side-action valves.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts.

This invention has for its object to furnish for musical brass instruments of different kinds an improved rotary valve, by which the objectionableand annoying strings used in the present valves are dispensed with, and a positive action of the valve substituted'therefor, so that the valve operates with greater reliability, easier touch, and increased speed.

The invention consists of a slotted lever attached to the valve, and actuated by a pin of a fixed arm of the spring-acted key.

Referring to the drawing, A represents the keys of any brass instrument, which are hinged either to the top or side of the instrument, according to the special arrangement of the same. The keys are acted upon by spiral springs a, placed around their pivots, and connected by curved arms B, having fixed pins 1), with slotted levers O of the valves D. The depression of the spring-acted key causes the turning of the valve, which is instantly returned as soon as the pressure on the key is removed. The pin b slides along the slotted lever of the valve, and turns the same thereby in reliable manner without the use of the strings that have heretofore been employed for operating these rotary valves. The wearing out of the strings and the unreliable working of the valves and other inconveniences of the string-operated valves are thereby obviated, and a positive or direct top or side action obtained.

I am aware that it is not, broadly, new to operate the valves of a brass instrument by other means than by a string-connection of the valves and keys. I disclaim the positive action of the valve, and confine myself to the special construction of devices hereinafter claimed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- As an improvement in valves for musical brass instruments, the combination of the spring-acted key, having curved arm and fixed pin, with a slotted lever of the rotary valve, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

THEODORE ARTAUD, M. D.

Witnesses J. H. LEDBETTER, R. R. LEDBETTER. 

